The Bruins are expecting emotions to be running high on and off the ice on Wednesday night when they invite nearly 20,000 people into the TD Garden to watch their game with the Buffalo Sabres. It will be the first mass sporting event in Boston since the tragic Marathon Monday bombing, and there will be people showing a range of emotions: anger, pride, sadness, heartache and, perhaps more than anything else, a solemn defiance that nothing is going to ever keep the people of Boston down.

There will also be gestures both big and small from the Bruins. The organization, TD Garden, NHL and NHLPA will be donating a combined $250,000 to The One Fund Boston, whose purpose is to raise money to help those families most affected by the events of the Boston Marathon bombing. Jeremy Jacobs donated $100,000 on behalf of the Bruins organization, and TD Garden, NHL and NHLPA each donated $50,000 to make up the 250K.

“Our family has been touched by the heroic moments of so many individuals, and the strength and resiliency of the community to stand together in solidarity and support of those who were injured and those who lost their lives in this unimaginable tragedy,” said Jacobs. “On behalf of our entire family, we pledge our unwavering support to his community as the process of healing begins.”

In addition, there a number of things planned for tonight's evening of hockey:

Bruins players and team staff have donated 80 tickets to the first responders on the scene that demonstrated so much bravery.The Bruins players will be wearing blue and yellow “Boston Strong” decals on their helmets, and members of the Bruins staff will be wearing blue and yellow “Boston Strong” ribbons in remembrance of those affected by the recent tragedy.